Monk said: “I've said all along how important Wilfried is to us and what a good player he is – but I think I can help him become an even better player this season.

“We saw a very good Wiflried last season but with the work ethic he has and what we're trying to do I think he can be even better this year.

“If he listens to what we're telling him – and he does because he's a great guy and a great person to work with – you'll see a better Bony.”

Swansea have been bracing themselves for a bid that would activate a transfer release clause believed to be in the powerful frontman's contract.

But Monk stressed: “I'm not counting down the days to the end of the window or anything like that. It doesn’t bother me because there's nothing you can do about speculation. Unless there's a concrete offer that we think is good for us and we want to do business it doesn't matter.

Wilfried Bony in international action for the Ivory Coast (Image: Getty Images)

“Even then we're in control so all of that doesn't matter because it's speculation. Wilfried's our player and you could see from his commitment again where his head's at.

“He's a professional. That's been the most pleasing thing for me is that I've seen it before where players have had speculation like this and it can affect their play.

“But the type of character Wilfried is, the type of person he is in this group, as well as the discussions I've had with him, you know he's committed. He is getting on with his job and he knows what will be will be.

“No doubt he's thought about things, he's had his agent speaking to him and seeing the things in the papers, but he knows he's a Swansea City player and he has to commit himself and you saw it today.”